Victims shot in Clyo home invasion identified

The Effingham County Sheriff's Office is investigating a double shooting overnight that left two people with serious injuries.

Investigators say someone broke in through the front door at a home in the 1200 block of Reedsville Road in Clyo and shot John Henry Martin, 46, and his girlfriend Someika Rashee Smith, 30. According to authorities, Smith is eight months pregnant.

When deputies arrived, they discovered Martin with a gunshot wound to the chest and Smith suffering from two gunshot wounds, one in the lower stomach and one in the leg. Police say the suspect used a shotgun.

"This is very unique for this part of Effingham County. We don't have many homicides in this county let alone this far north in Clyo. I mean, were close to the South Carolina Line," said David Ehsanipoor, spokesman for the Effingham County Sheriff's Office.

Martin was taken by helicopter to Memorial University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He is currently in critical condition in the ICU.

Smith was also taken to Memorial with serious injuries. Authorities say she's now alert and speaking. Doctors had to induce labor but both Smith and the baby are stable.

"We are not only looking at two victims, we are looking at three victims," said Ehsanipoor. "The lady is eight months pregnant, so you have a child who is also suffering from this as well . They had to induce labor on her this morning. That is putting the child in danger. Whoever did this they are not only facing aggravated assault on two people. They are facing it on three people."

ECSO investigators believe this was an isolated incident and that the couple was targeted.

A witness reported seeing a male driving a 1980s model, tan, Dodge four-door vehicle in the area but that is all investigators have to go on at this point.

Anyone with information about the crime can call the Effingham County Sheriff's Office at 912.754.3449 or CrimeStoppers at 912.234.2020.